An embroidery machine can impart lots of charm, beauty, flair, and character on anything you create with cloth. These days it is the machine to go to if you want to create designs in a fast and convenient fashion.

This is why plenty of fledgling designers who take on embellished and embroidered designs make use of an embroidery machine.

The price rates for models vary from three hundred, up to thousands of dollars. Prices are often based on the model’s available features and options, the size of embroidery that the model can manage, and the software that it will work with.

There are models that combine both sewing and stitching or embroidery functions, and there are some which can only tackle stitching designs. Usually, embroidery machine brands with models that provide sewing capabilities are priced higher. They often include a detachable stitching part so the machine will suit any kind of sewing that is required.

Whether you are tackling sewing and embroidery as a recreational activity, or plan to use it for business, you have to familiarize yourself with the whole pursuit first. Here are some of the terms you need to know before getting into an embroidery project with such a machine.

Hooping

Embroiderymachines include hoops that seamstresses or tailors can connect to the machine. Hooping means placing the fabric into the machine’s hoop.

Tautness and stabilization are two crucial factors while working on this kind of machine. It differs from doing stitches by hand because the fabric should remain in the same position over the course of the embroidery.

Once the fabric slips out, the design will not be employed correctly, ruining it. To check if the fabric moved, look at the borders; if the border does not line up with the complete design, the fabric moved out of place.

Stabilizer

Embroidery machines employ the use of a darning foot that, in reality, does not work with the fabric. It also lacks a feed dog beneath the fabric to keep it positioned where it belongs. The stabilizer is capable of making the fabric rigid enough as the machine gets to work on it.

There are actually a range of stabilizers with a variety of uses. Several stabilizers are employed beneath the fabric that a seamstress is working on while some are employed on top of the fabric.

Certain fabrics, like terry cloth, require the help of a stabilizer on top to affix them and keep the fabric from prodding throughout the design.

Stabilizers that are water-soluble melt away in water while stabilizes that use heat get changed into ash once an iron is applied on them. Those stabilizers will leave tracks on the fabric, but will help position the material in its place.

Digitizing

Digitizing is a procedure which involves getting any kind of image and transforming it into a language that the machine will be able to comprehend by means of appropriate software.

As soon as the picture or image has undergone the digitizing process, the machine will then know what it is supposed to do so it can embroider the image.

This is a fairly easy process, provided you know how to work with computer graphics and are persistent enough to know what it takes to grasp the procedure.

Free Motion Embroidery

Free motion embroidery is actually a fun process. Although it does not need the help of an embroidery machine, users will get to produce their own design by means of a sewing machine to draw and fill their designs in by hand.

The darning foot is used while the feed dog of the sewing machine is let go. The test here is to maintain movement of the hands in complete harmony with the sewing machine to produce smooth, level stitches.

To make freehand embroidery easier, there are now several sewing machine companies who provide stitch regulators.

Embroidery machines are named as such because the mechanism only permits stitching, while sewing machines let users perform construction stitching—the most basic form of stitching.

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The styles that both kinds of machines provide do not look that different. The distinction, though, can be seen by way of the kind of attachments used that allows the machine to perform embroidery stitching.

Current sewing machines arrange for plenty of stitches ranging in the hundreds. Any model may include embroidery in its collection, or it may not.

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A full-featured embroidery machine operates with a computer and it has the capability to offer intricate, preprogrammed embroidery designs. It also provides options for seamstresses to provide extra patterns that have been scanned or downloaded.

This kind of embroidery machine actually makes use of a hooping system that grips the fabric in place as the device works on the design.

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The industrial-type embroidery machine, meanwhile, includes numerous needles that operate as one, and it is capable of changing thread colors and trimming the thread mechanically. Furthermore, there are also sewing machine brands that provide digital and industrial versions of their products.

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If you want to comprehend the whole embroidery machine vs. sewing machine deal, you need to take note of the disparities between aspects like embroidery, basic sewing, and construction sewing.

There are some machines which can only perform construction stitching while there are certain models which can perform both embroidery and construction styles by making use of an embroidery attachment. There are also models which will only allow for embroidery stitching.

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Construction sewing typically translates to merging two portions of cloth together. It can be done by working on the drape of a fabric by way of darts or pleats, or working on the edge of an individual portion of cloth or material.

Construction stitching might also present an ornamental element to it if the stitch is aimed to be noticeable, like a zigzag or a straight stitch. However the main objective of construction sewing will always be function.

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Embroidery, meanwhile, is chiefly meant for decorative purposes. Sewn embellishments, like the intricate designs of animals, flowers, or monograms, are embroidered into pillow sheets, table linens, or quilts.

Embroidery engages 30- or 40-gauge embroidery thread and a cyclic stitching method to contour patterns and load them with color. By making use of a device built for embroidery stitching, users can acquire uniform stitches, and it will save them plenty of time as well.

Embroidery can be performed by means of a particular embroidery machine. It can also be done by way of thorough, manual or hand stitching, or by employing a method called free-motion embroidery with the help of a standard sewing machine.

Manual embroidery can be a lot of work, so if you want to build a business concerning this kind of art, you will benefit more from an embroidery machine.

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Making use of such a device will save you plenty of grueling hours and painful fingers. At this time, computerized embroidery is in demand because it can accomplish faster operations compared to sewing machines and manual embroidery. You can finish more products by using a machine that can easily tackle the procedure.

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Digitized embroidery involves picking computerized embroidery patterns with software that is placed inside the memory banks of the machine. The user only has to load the device with appropriate colored threads, and following this, they can wait and observe as the device does its job in a minute’s time.

An embroidery machine as mentioned above will help you acquire perfect items with even stitches. It will never miss a stitch. If you want to cover more embroidery jobs, go for an embroidery machine to help save you time and effort.

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If you want to buy one, it is good to test the machine first before buying it. You can also attend demos or classes to further understand how it works. But if you cannot try out a machine in person, you can opt for unbiased reviews online and see what customers have to say about the model they have purchased.

Embroidery is a handicraft art wherein different fabric and materials can be used in creating design on any cloth. Back in the old days, designs were only done by hands. These days, however, embroidery machines make the process simpler, faster, and more efficient.

One respected brand in the industry is SINGER which produces some of the top embroidery machines on the market. Let’s take a closer look at the Singer Futura XL-400 and its capabilities as a computerized, embroidery machine.

How Easy Is It to Use?

What makes this model very easy to use is that it acts as an all-in-one machine, equipped with 30 built-in stitch patterns, along with other features such as 2 fully automatic buttonholes, built-in lettering system, and 125 built-in embroidery designs. As such, all you have to do is to select from the designs and start embroidering them on any cloth.

At the same time, it uses a SwiftSmart Threading System, making threading a whole lot easier, rather than doing it manually. All you have to do is to take your thread, guiding it along the single groove, and use the auto needle threader to complete the process. You no longer have to deal with tension dials, complex turns or even missing on the take-up lever! Threading becomes effortless with this model.

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How Well Does it Work?

The capability of the Futura XL-400 lies in its features. For example, it comes with a larger embroidery hoop, sized 10 x 6 inches, as well as a multi-hooping capacity, which means that you can easily make designs that are up to 12 x 20 inches. This features can also allow you to work on large format projects including bedspreads, table cloths, dresses, and several others.

To get it started, all you have to do is to connect your PC to this embroidery machine using the included USB cable, use the software that is included and equipped with built-in tutorials, and choose designs, sending it to the machine. Just push a button, and you can already start embroidering away!

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Embroidering has never been made this easy with SINGER Futura XL-400. You can also easily customize your project using your computer screen, combining together multiple designs into a single design file, adding lettering in order to personalize the output even better. You may also choose custom colors for the threads.

The software that is included in the package also comes with thread charts that come with color numbers which corresponds to the most popular embroidery thread brands, making it easier for you to locate them for your personal use. You may also use its resizing capability in order to enlarge or reduce the size of the design, fitting for any project.

Accessories/Tools Included

There are several accessories that are included in the package, such as:

Bobbins

Pack of needles

Auxiliary spool pin

Spool cap (small, medium, large)

Buttonhole opener/seam ripper/brush

Screwdriver (for the needle plate)

Pair of scissors

Zipper foot

Satin stitch foot

Blind stitch foot

Button sewing foot

Embroidery foot

Buttonhole foot

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Features

SwiftSmart Threading System

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This brand designed technology makes the process of threading the machine effortless. All you have to do is to take the thread, guiding through the automatic needle threader to complete the process.

Automatic Needle Threader

This built-in needle threader allows you to avoid frustrations or eye-strains in threading your machine. All you need to do is to push down the lever.

Drop and Sew Bobbins System

Threading the bobbin is also easy. It comes in a transparent cover which allows you to see how much thread is remaining on the bobbin without even removing it. It is also jam proof, thus preventing any thread jams from happening.

6-Segment Feeding System

This system also comes with a drop feed capability which allows users to enjoy a consistent and smooth fabric feeding. All you have to do is to drop the feed dogs, watching them go beneath the needle plate.

Push Button Stitch Selection

Choosing a stitch is very easy with this feature. All you have to do is to look at the stitch panel and choose a stitch you would like to you. Then, you can press the stitch selection button and start sewing the selected stitch.

Extra Large 10” x 6” Embroidery Field

This model comes with a larger embroidery field which can allow you to create designs easily. This function is very easy to use and allows you to explore your creativity. All you have to do is choose a design and allow it to do the rest.

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Who It is Best For?

This model is best for embroidery fanatics who would like to complete embroidery projects at home and save money compared to having it done elsewhere. However, since the Futura XL-400 is designed for home projects only, it may not work well for commercial embroidery functions.

T﻿hings We Liked

Very easy to use

Build in stitches and designs makes it easy to get started

Large embroidery field

Quick design transfer and easy computer connection

T﻿hings W﻿e Didn't Like

Editor Rating

I would personally give this product 4 out of 5 stars. It's not the best embroidery machine available and has some flaws so it can't be a 5. However, it is easy to use and program, and puts out high quality stitches and a good rate makes it easy enough to justify this product.

I give it a 4.2 or 4.3 out of 5 for beginners since it is very easy to use. However, it's still a solid buy if you're not just beginning and want a quality embroidering machine.

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Bottom Line

I would highly recommend this product. While others think that this is expensive as compared to other brands, what you are actually paying for is quality. It isn't a cheap, junky embroidery machine that you can get for just a couple of hundred dollars.

If you want a product that will last and deliver good quality embroidering then this a great choice - particularly if you're a beginner since it is so easy to use.

With the built-in features accessible through your computer, it is so easy to install extra designs.

Also, even though others may think that it is quite annoying to connect it everytime to a computer rather than having its own built-in screen, doing so gives you a better display of your options, instead of just looking at a small display. All in all, the Futura XL-400 can give you what you need for any embroidery project.

While hand embroidery is considered an art form, doing the whole process manually can take a lot of your time, and it can mean discomfort as well. If you want to produce more results, you can opt for the help of an embroidery machine.

Our review subject for today is an embroidery-only model that is fully-functional, crammed to the gills with features, and is a dependable machine that many rely on.

For more information about the product, please read on to understand why we recommend this particular model for faster embroidery jobs.

Advantages:

Brother PE770 has a broad selection of features that the user can take advantage of. This is actually a great pick for anyone who is on the lookout for an embroidery machine that works.

In addition, it is also a huge relief for those who are on a limited budget since this model comes with a competitive price.

The model has a whopping 136 designs available for use, and it also includes 120 frame combinations, plus 6 types of fonts. Use this model to edit a variety of designs, or combine them with your own to create original ones.

If you want more designs to use, you can also employ the machine’s integrated USB port to download other designs online.

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The bobbin winding system on this model is straightforward and easy, even for beginners. The LCD display with touch screen capabilities provides plenty of convenience at work. It has a selection of speeds to better suit your preferred pace, but in my opinion its biggest benefit is its noticeably larger hoop size.

I think the card slot of the PE770 is also something that users will appreciate since this particular feature lets them access a boundless range of designs that are exclusive to the company.

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This embroidery unit is ideal for the at-home embroiderer/sewing enthusiast who needs a reliable and high-performance model that is totally reserved to accomplish embroidering jobs.

Furthermore, the PE770 is also an awardee of the Consumer’s Digest Best Buy Brand, so it speaks volumes of its performance. this is one of Brother’s best products and I can attest to this.

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All excellent products feature have longer warranties because of the utmost trust their companies have for them. This model comes with a 25-year limited warranty and phone support with no extra charge. It’s good news for those who want to purchase the unit for their homegrown entrepreneurial endeavors.

Disadvantages:

The unit has a great number of advantages over its competition, but a few customers have had problems when constricting the bobbin. There were also customers who complained about the unit jamming, while some have had to deal with bobbin and thread tangles.

Some may also find the price a bit higher for an embroidery-only machine, but others did not have that much problem with its price because of its excellent performance.

Conclusion:

If you want to work on a multitude of embroidery projects and lots of designs, then the Brother PE770 is something that you will indeed appreciate. Its performance and its features alone make it a worthy purchase. Consumers should deem this as a valuable investment.

However, if you just want something that can accomplish seam stitching or other sewing related procedures, you can make do with a versatile sewing machine that has a few embroidery features like the company’s SE400. The PE770 is one of the top picks among embroidery machines and as seen on many similar reviews, they all agree on this fact.

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